Cloth Badges

Woven and Embroidered Badge Suppliers

Franklin's are a leading woven and embroidered badge supplier and have been manufacturing custom cloth badges for more than 70 years, producing embroidered cloth badges and wovencloth badges in all shapes and sizes each available with a variety of edges finishes and background materials.

To help you decide which of the two main options of cloth badge you require please read more, or email our sales team for assistance.

A SUMMARY OF THE DIFFERENCES

In essence the main difference is that in a woven badge the design is actually woven into and is part of the fabric of the badge. The desgn is made from and uses the yarns from which the actual cloth badge is woven. Therefore the design is an integral part of the fabric of the badge and cannot easily be worn off by abrasion or wear and tear. With the embroidered badge the design is produced on the surface of the fabric of the badge, by a stitching process using embroidery thread. This produces texture and surface relief, but as it is a surface effect only it can be worn off by abrasion or wear and tear.

WOVEN BADGES

Woven badges can be all shapes and sizes, with or without overlocked edges (for an example of a woven badge please click here).

Woven, sew on badges or sew on patches are manufactured on a loom by weaving. They can be produced with over locked edges, and laser cut edges, and can be attached to clothing, bags, shoes, etc.

The over locked/merrow edges help with the sewing on of the badge to a garment etc. Or they can be produced as iron-on badges, or with velcro attachment. For a weaker attachment a self adhesive backing can be provided, which can allow the badges to be used as entry passes to events etc., without being permanently attached.

Another superb means of attachment is to use the appliqué process. This involves attaching a badge using an embroidery machine. This gives a very professional looking finish and is ideal for sports wear.

Unlike an embroidered badge, which we also supply, woven badges allow much more detail in the design and hence much greater clarity of the image, and allow the badge to be smaller where required. When larger quantities are required, the woven, cloth badge is also generally a lower cost item to produce than an embroidered badge.

Although the woven badge has much more detail and clarity of the image, than an embroidered badge/patch, some people prefer the embroidered badge where this detail is not required. This is because, unlike an embroidered badge, the design on the surface of the woven badge is flat without any relief or texture. Franklins have overcome this on some occasions by combining a woven badge with the embroidery process. Or by using special weaving techniques.

As the woven badge has a flat surface it is less likely to have its image removed by wear or abrasion, or to gain unsightly surface pilling, due to abrasion.

An embroidered cloth badge (or patch) is produced by a stitching process onto a base cloth to produce individual badges, or directly onto a garment, or other products. It produces a textured and raised design effect, which gives more of a 3D appearance. Probably more suitable for small order quantities, because woven cloth badges can be more cost effective for larger quantities. Woven badges can also give more detail to images and text. Embroidery is also ideal when designs are required to be stitched directly onto garments.

The badges embroidered onto base cloth, can be cut out to produce unique, individual items which can be sewn, or ironed or glued onto garments, bags, shoes, etc.

Franklin's have developed an embroidered badge with velcro backing which meets std. BS EN ISO 14116.

This standard specifies the performance requirements for the limited flame spread properties of materials, material assemblies and protective clothing in order to reduce the possibility of the clothing burning and therefore avoiding hazard.

This badge was designed specifically for police body armour and helmets, but can have many other applications.

If you have any questions please do not hesitate to telephone ( +44 (0) 28 406 22230) or email your enquiry to our sales team.